Israel's latest incursion into Gaza comes against the background of shifting political and military relationships within the Palestinian community, among Israelis, and in the broader region. Bereft of former patrons in Egypt and Syria, Hamas recently joined a Palestinian unity government while escalating its bombardment of southern Israel. Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu was challenged to address these attacks, as well as the kidnapping-murders of three Israeli teens which he attributed to Hamas.

This Policy Forum explored the military implications of the Israel-Hamas conflict as well as the likely political winners and losers.

Ghaith al-Omari, executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine, previously served in various positions within the Palestinian Authority, including as director of the International Relations Department in the Office of the Palestinian President and as advisor to then prime minister Mahmoud Abbas.

Jeffrey White, an Institute defense fellow, served for more than thirty years as a Middle East intelligence analyst and strategist with the Defense Intelligence Agency. He participated in operational and policy planning and wrote extensively for senior defense officials, including the secretary of defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Moderated by David Pollock, Institute Kaufman Fellow and editor of Fikra Forum.